What is a Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial?

For patients who have had little-to-no success in relieving their chronic pain by treatments and surgeries, some are finding success with spinal cord stimulation implants. Spinal cord stimulation is used to interfere with the transmission of pain signals to the brain so the patient doesn’t “feel” the pain. The brain simply does not recognize that pain is coming from the affected area. Before a stimulator is permanently implanted into a patient, a spinal cord stimulation trial is conducted. This temporary stimulator will give the patient an opportunity to experience spinal cord stimulation for approximately seven days and help determine if a permanent stimulator would be beneficial.

Common Questions

What is involved with a spinal cord stimulation trial?

Implanting a temporary stimulator is a very safe, outpatient procedure that takes approximately 20 minutes and includes using a local anesthesia. A series of leads are placed just under the skin and are attached to a small generator that the patient will carry (about the size of a small cell phone). The generator will emit electrical currents in a pre-set pattern that is intended to provide pain relief.

Am I a good candidate for a Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial?

A spinal cord stimulation trial is intended to determine if a permanent stimulator is the answer for pain relief. Consideration for this trial typically means that the patient has tried other treatments and surgeries with little-to-no success. The doctor and patient should have a thorough discussion about the pros and cons of the procedure. Before the trial takes place, be sure to tell your physician if you have any allergies (especially to anesthetics), are on blood-thinning medication or have an active infection.

What should I expect after the spinal cord stimulation trial?

You should expect to discover if spinal cord stimulation provides any pain relief for you. Once that is determined, you’ll speak with your doctor about whether a permanent implant is right for you.